New England delegation wants $100M from feds to help fishermen

The New England congressional delegation is working on a proposal to obtain $100 million in federal funds to address the crisis in the New England groundfishery.

DON CUDDY

The New England congressional delegation is working on a proposal to obtain $100 million in federal funds to address the crisis in the New England groundfishery.

While the relief package, spearheaded by Sen. John Kerry's office, is still being formulated, The Standard-Times has obtained a draft copy of the proposal, outlining some of the measures sought, including $67.5 million for disaster assistance for fishermen in New England. Part of this sum would be used to retrain those fishermen who lose their livelihoods.

A further $15 million is suggested to cover the cost of onboard observers that fishermen are required to bring with them when they go to sea. The government has funded the observer program since the introduction of catch shares in 2010, but those costs are scheduled to be passed to the industry next year.

The draft also seeks $7.5 million to fund research to improve fish stock assessments and suggests setting aside a further $10 million to cover any loan defaults in a proposed boat buyback program.

Recent stock estimates are so low that the catch limits for the 2013 fishing year, which begins on May 1, may force many fishermen out of the industry. Last month, the Massachusetts congressional delegation called on the federal government to issue a disaster declaration on behalf of New England fishermen.

In addition to the $100 million for disaster relief, a $100 million program intended to reduce the size of the fleet is also being considered.

Seafood consultant Jim Kendall said boat buybacks were tried in the past when the fishing industry was in crisis. “The problem is that buybacks only benefit the boatowner, who often is not a fisherman,” he said. “He has options, but what about the guys on deck? They're fishermen and that's what they know.”

Buybacks will simply result in further consolidation within the industry, Kendall said.

“Then the government will say we don't have enough boats to prosecute the fishery and they'll give out low-interest loans for people to buy boats, like they did before.”

Jodi Seth, a spokesman for Kerry, said it is too early to discuss any specifics of the proposal since it is likely to change.

“Senator Kerry is in constant contact with the administration to secure the disaster declaration,” Seth said in an email. “He and Governor Patrick have made a very strong case and Senator Kerry's made a very personal case to many officials inside the administration. He believes the finish line is in sight.”

Kerry is working on the next step, including a legislative strategy to make financial assistance a reality, she said.

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